Publications

Over the last twenty years, Mike Grant, Caru Ventures Founder, has published a number of technical papers, conference papers and reports in support of public policy initiatives. He is also a regular chair, contributor and advisor to numerous conferences.

Below is a sample of four public reports produced by teams led by Mike while he working as a Partner at Analysys Mason and Analysys Consulting Ltd.

An Econometric Analysys of the TV Advertising Market, March 2010. This study was commissioned by Ofcom as part of their assessment of whether to adjust the maximum number of advertising minutes UK different classes of TV broadcasters were allowed in peak and off peak hours. Supported by Brand Science and Greg Crawford, former Chief Economist of the FCC, the study used for the first time historic advertising pricing data to assess price elasticity for different channel types. The outputs formed a key input to the regulatory decision making process. Original source

Fostering Creative Ambition in the UK Economy, May 2009. In 2008, the UK Department of Culture, Media and Sport undertook a major review of Britain's approach to developing its Digital Economy. Known as Digital Britain, this process, led by Lord Stephen Carter, made a number of recommendations regarding how government and industry could accelerate the development of Britain's connected economy. As part of that process, Analysys Mason was commissioned to examine what policy steps could be taken to support the UK's Creative Industries and in particular its TV production companies, transition from a Broadcast TV world to an online environment, while protecting their considerable domestic and export contribution to the UK economy. This report was published simultaneously with the main Digital Britain report. Original source

Assessment of the UK Mobile Sector, August 2008. In 2008, Ofcom undertook a strategic review of the mobile sector in order to assess whether the broad set of regulatory policies governing the sector at the time were fit for purpose. Analysys Mason was commissioned to undertake primary and secondary research into the competitive nature of the market at the time, assess whether competition at different levels across the industry value chain was operating effectively, and develop views of how the market might evolve under different scenarios. Of note, this study was the first public work to identify that domestic termination rates would diminish over the short term to levels that would eliminate any influence they had on service pricing, with the result that all inclusive minute bundles would become more prevalent in the market. Original source

The Future of the Mobile Market, March 1999. As part of the process of establishing appropriate bands for operation of 3G (or UMTS) networks, DG XIII of the European Commission commissioned Analysys and Intercai to review how the introduction of mobile broadband might change the nature of the mobile market, and assess what this might mean for take-up and usage of mobile phones. A particular focus was the nature and scope of traffic new services might generate. Our study in 1997 developed for the first time a vision of the mobile phone as a personal information and entertainment device, and recognised the role of the internet in delivering that vision. It also clearly articulated the asymmetric nature and scope of traffic generated under a number of video rich scenarios, and as such provided key inputs to the industry as agreement on band size was reached. This 1999 report published by the UMTS Forum reproduces much of that original ground breaking study for the commission.